How Do You Know If You Have a Sleep Disorder?

Many people experience some occasional difficulty sleeping and/or daytime fatigue. But how does a person know if he or she has a temporary sleep problem that can be remedied with some simple behavioral changes, or if it is a legitimate disorder such as snoring, sleep apnea, sinusitis or nasal obstruction that should be diagnosed and treated properly?

Lifestyle Habits and Sleep Problems

One thing a person can do is question if their lifestyle habits are contributing to the difficulty sleeping and/or fatigue and irritability during the day. Ask questions such as:

Am I watching TV or using the computer late at night and too close to bedtime?Am I consuming too much caffeine during the day?Am I taking a medication that may be affecting my sleep quality and duration?Is there something particularly stressful going on in my life that is causing me worry and anxiety?Am I exercising enough to help alleviate some of that stress and tension?

Many sleep problems can be remedied by making some common sense behavioral changes. However, persistent sleep problems left untreated can lead to myriad health problems, including memory and concentration problems, increased risk of high blood pressure, hypertension, stroke and heart attacks, depression, diabetes and sexual dysfunction. Severe cases of sleep apnea can even be fatal.

Besides these sobering health risks, an untreated sleep disorder can also be the root cause of poor performance at work or school, car accidents and other activities that require focus and concentration.

Societal Risk of Sleep Disorders

New research is exposing the societal risk that can result from untreated sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. The National Sleep Foundation's 2012 "Sleep in America" poll which focused in on the sleep habits and performance of transportation workers, states that about one in 10 Americans are likely to fall asleep at an inappropriate time and place, such as during a meeting or while driving.

Other results of the study: About one-fourth of polled train operators (26%) and pilots (23%) admit that sleepiness has affected their job performance at least once a week, compared to about one in six non-transportation workers (17%).

Even more concerning: One in five pilots (20%) admit that they have made a serious error and one in six train operators (18%) and truck drivers (14%) say that they have had a "near miss" due to sleepiness.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

Sleep problems are prevalent in our society, and people need to be aware of the symptoms and risks associated with them. Some common symptoms of sleep disorders include:

Trouble falling asleep at nightWaking throughout the nightChronic snoringMorning headachesPoor memoryDaytime sleepiness/falling asleep during the day/low energyBad moods/irritabilityIncreased depressionTrouble concentrating/driving/making decisions

Symptoms vary between disorders, such as snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, nasal obstruction, narcolepsy, so it pays to do some research based on what you are personally experiencing.

If you experiencing one or more of the above symptoms on a regular basis, see a qualified sleep doctor to get diagnosed and treated properly. There are multiple options and minimally invasive techniques available today to treat your sleep disorder.

David Volpi, M.D., P.C., F.A.C.S. is a board-certified otolaryngology surgeon with Ear, Nose and Throat practices, Otolaryngology Associates, on the Upper West Side and Upper East Side and is a staff member of the best teaching hospitals New York City. David Volpi, M.D. realized that there is a lack of information on the part of the public about the potential severity of snoring. With the need for accurate information, diagnosis and treatment so necessary, he founded Eos Sleep, formerly Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center to be a place where snoring patients can go for total, expert treatment -- and he created this site to be a thorough information resource for the education of snoring sufferers throughout the world.

For more information, visit http://www.eossleep.com/.

Original article